‘Production Powerhouse’ in the works and Yorkshire takes centre stage
FILM, TV and games industries in Yorkshire are taking centre stage with a major funding boost.
The British Film Institute has put the region first in line for its UK-wide plan for creative industry growth, intended to create a ‘Production Powerhouse’.
The Yorkshire Screen Industries Hub has been awarded National Lottery funding of £127,000 through the BFI’s Creative Clusters Challenge Fund.
The clusters fund supports the growth in the creative industries outside London and the South East.
This has been matched by funding from from a Yorkshire-wide consortium Screen Yorkshire, in partnership with Game Republic and Sheffield Doc/Fest. Total funding has now reached £254,000.
The Creating the Production Powerhouse identified investment required for skills, training and infrastructure to allow the region to compete globally.
Amanda Nevill, chief executive of the BFI said: “There’s something exciting happening in Yorkshire’s screen sector and there is huge potential in this dynamic region, so we’re thrilled to support such a range of fantastic partners who have come together with one common goal: to ensure Yorkshire’s burgeoning screen industries continue to grow and flourish. The UK’s screen industries are thriving and if we are to support future growth it is vital that more areas outside London become international hubs – this support for Yorkshire is significant and we look forward to announcing further Creative Clusters in the coming months.”
Also investing in the Yorkshire Screen Industries Hub are the local authorities of Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York, Calderdale, Harrogate and Kirklees and six leading UK universities in Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and York.
Industry partners supporting the bid include Warp Films, True North, Daisybeck Studios, Prime Studios, Fettle Animation, 104 Films and Revolution Software.
Sally Joynson, chief executive at Screen Yorkshire said: “This is fantastic news for everyone working in the film, TV and gaming sectors in Yorkshire, now and in the future. It’s a huge vote of confidence in our screen industries and will enable us to build a compelling case for further investment in the sector.”
Screen Yorkshire has invested more than £14m into 38 films and TV programmes, including the new film production of Dad’s Army and Tv drama Peaky Blinders.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, An Inspector Calls, Jericho, Victoria, Happy Valley and This is England have all been associated with the Yorkshire film industry.
The area also has a strong gaming cluster which includes business network Game
Republic, as well as major internationally-recognised games studios including Team17, Sumo Digital and Revolution Software, informal groups such as GaMaYo, and smaller independent start-ups such as Red Kite Games and Boneloaf.
